DreamWorld Gold
Coast Information
DreamWorld Gold Coast Australia All You Need To Know About Planning A Day At The Park
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Information on this page about DreamWorld Theme Park Gold Coast:
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On
this page you will find information about Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld.
This information changes, so I try to keep it general
but useful.
There are other pages on this website covering different aspects of this theme park. Dreamworld has many rides
and attractions which I have described both in
words and pictures.
Check out my review
of Dreamworld. You'll find a few tips in here to
help get the most out of your Dream World experience.
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Dreamworld Gold Coast Entrance
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Opening
Times for Dreamworld Gold Coast
| Daily: |
10.00am
to 5.00pm
(gates close 5.30pm)
Hours are sometimes extended during
school holidays. |
| Exceptions: |
Closed
Christmas Day 25th December.
Closed ANZAC day morning 25th April. |
Show
Schedule
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Show
schedules change regularly. Dreamworld print new sheets virtually
weekly so there is no way I can keep up with that!
You should receive a current schedule and theme park
map when you enter
the park.
Extra theme park maps can be picked up inside the park.
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Dreamworld Gold Coast
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Dreamworld
Gold Coast theme park map on a sign in the park. |
Buying
Tickets for Dreamworld
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Tickets
can be purchased at gate when you arrive, online or at ticket
booths around the coast.
I have not found anywhere that discounts any of the theme parks
significantly, you might save a couple of dollars a ticket, but
generally it is
minimal.
The best deals for DreamWorld are by buying a pass or a World Pass that
combines entry to White Water World.
You should not pay any more for the convenience of buying tickets
online and usually there is a small discount.
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Main benefit of buying your tickets before you go to Dream World is that you get to go in the pre-paid ticket line. This is usually just as long as the other lines, but much quicker because they are not having to process money at every transaction!
As of 1 December 2009, Dreamworld have brought their child ages into line with other attractions. Children are now classified as 3 years to 13 years inclusive.
Be aware that peak pricing is applicable between 26 December and 26 January inclusive and off peak pricing is applicable at all other times of the year. This is a new concept introduced in Summer 2009.
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Dreamworld Gold Coast
Getting
To DreamWorld Gold Coast
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DreamWorld is at DreamWorld Parkway, Coomera, Qld, 4219.
It
is just off the Pacific Motorway (M1) at Exit 54.
It is well signposted whether you are coming from Brisbane or from the
Gold Coast.
Heading north from Surfers Paradise it
is
about 23kms and will take about 30 minutes in a car depending upon the
traffic.
There is plenty of free parking, so driving is a great option. BYO car
or hire
a car.
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Dreamworld sign is easy to spot!
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Dreamworld
Transfers
Con-X-ion are
great for transfers directly from your accommodation. Their Roo
Pass which is a flexible option including both airport and
theme parks transfers that can really save you money.
Surfside
Buslines run the public bus sustem on the Gold Coast Tel:
131
230. They run theme park services which stop at DreamWorld.
Translink run the train services which run from Brisbane to Robina. The Coomera
railway station is located close to DreamWorld and Surfside provide bus
connections.
Personally, I think it is better to pay a bit extra and go with a
private service such as Con-X-ion as the
public bus service can be frustrating.
If you want to be really decadent you could transfer by helicopter so
you don't have to mix with the riff-raff!
More details on transfers
to theme parks.
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Dreamworld Gold Coast
Things
To Consider
Food and Drinks
According
to the Terms and Conditions of Entry to Dreamworld Gold Coast you are
not supposed to take food or drinks into the theme park. This is now pretty standard across theme parks.
Looking for the positive! This
has
the advantage that you don't have to carry anything other than
money! Which appeals to me as I am the one who makes the picnics and
generally ends up carrying them!
But of course the disadvantage is that you then captive to what
they have to offer in the way of food
and drinks and their prices. |
 Dreamworld
No Food
sign at the entrance
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If you are doing the thrill
rides, you may find that eating is not such an issue, but do make sure
you drink plenty of fluids in particular water as this park gets hot
even during the cooler months.
Accessibility
and Getting Around
There are a limited number of strollers, prams and wheelchairs
for hire. There is wheel
friendly access to most areas. There are restrictions on some rides, so
you will
need to check.
 DreamWorld Railway
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To help
get around the park and reduce some of the traipsing around there is
Dreamworld Railway.
Central Station is a short walk from the main entrance. There are four
stations in total.
The other stops are near:
-
Billabong Restaurant
- Australian Wildlife
Experience
- The Giant Drop
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The round trip takes about 20 minutes
and you can get on or off wherever you like. The
train is quite a good way to see some parts of the park but it only
covers about half of it!
Things to Take
You are going to be out and about most of the day, so make sure you
have the following essentials:
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
On some of the rides you have to take off your hat and sunnies, so it
is worthwhile having a bag to put them in safely. I carry a rucksack,
which is easy and doesn't get in the way too much.
Getting Wet
 White
Water World is a water park.
If you plan on going to both parks, be prepared.
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If you
buy a World Pass you can use both Dreamworld and White Water World.
If you are going to White Water World you will need your
swimming gear
(trunks, bathers, swimmers or whatever else you call them!) and a
towel.
Within Dreamworld there are a couple of places you might get wet.
Flowrider is a ride where you are in the water - so you will definitely
need your togs and a towel for this one. |
The two other rides in Dreamworld you may get wet on are the
Rocky Hollow Log Ride and the Thunder River Rapids Ride. Make sure you
wear appropriate clothing!
Weather
Dreamworld sell plastic capes when it rains - there are places
to get out of the rain, but you will need to go between things.
Taking wet weather gear if it looks like rain, will
save you
a bundle on a one use cape!
Dreamworld has always seemed hot to me whenever I have been there,
so layers are good in the cooler weather and lots of sun protection
even on cloudy days.
Money
There are EFTPOS machines and ATMs at Dreamworld, but I find cash
easier. As with any tourist spot you need to be careful with
your
wallet and precious items. A good rucksack or bum bag (fanny pack for
our friends from USA) can be useful.
Within the theme park there are a few places that you have to pay
to use - which I personally think is a bit rich given you have paid to
get in... but bear this in mind and make sure you have cash if you want
to do these things.
Pre-paid
Tickets
I always buy my theme park tickets ahead of time, as the pre-paid lines are much
faster than those where you have to buy the tickets at the gate.
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Dreamworld Gold Coast
Shops
at Dreamworld Gold Coast
I'm not really a shopper, but I couldn't help but notice that they have a
shop on every corner at Dreamworld!
There are the usual theme
park souvenirs you would expect including
variations on T-shirts, toys and general souvenirs.
There are 38 different
outlets mentioned on the Dreamworld Theme Park Map.
This covers food,
shopping and photos - so you are bound to find something to spend you
money on.
There
is a shop with motosport gear near the Mick Doohan MotoCoaster,
Wiggles
gear can be found in the Wiggle
World shop and there are plenty of tiger
souvenirs from Tiger Island!
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Dreamworld
shops seem to be everywhere! This is the Nickelodeon shop.
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Main Street has plenty of
opportunity for retail therapy too!
Food
in Dreamworld
Remember you may not bring food into the theme park. However, there are
plenty of places to eat around Dreamworld. From a reasonably decent
Amore coffee, gourmet sandwich and treats, the usual fast food, right
through to sit down restaurant.
 Dreamworld
Billabong Restaurant is airconditioned and a range of food.
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Halal
options are available in Billabong Restaurant - it is the only
Halal accredited food outlet in Dreamworld. Billabong Restaurant is
airconditioned.
Beer
and wine can also be purchased at some locations, but must be consumed
at those premises. You cannot walk around with alcoholic beverages.
You are
a captive audience, expect to
pay more to eat inside Dreamworld than out. You won't be giving it any hats for a Good Food guide, but as theme park food goes, I think it
isn't too bad. |
Sweet treats and real holiday food like churrios, fairy floss,
popcorn, snowcones and ice-cream
are available in a couple of locations too.
I
was a bit surprised how early some of the food outlets closed - before
4pm when the rides were finishing at 5pm and the gates closed at
5.30pm.
I saw a couple of water fountains around the park - do make sure you
drink plenty of water - bought or from the fountains.
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Dreamworld Gold Coast
Where To Stay Close
To Dreamworld Gold Coast
Dreamworld is the furthest theme park on the Gold Coast from Surfers
Paradise. It is inland and there are not many options really
close by.
- Buy directly from DreamWorld Website
- Secure booking and Payments
- Some options limited availaiblity
- Get latest deals direct.
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The closest places will be at Hope
Island, Sanctuary
Cove and Runaway
Bay.
There is the Gold Coast Holiday Park which
combines a Caravan Park and 4 star motel accommodation.
This
is a popular choice with several different options for those who plan
to do the theme parks as it is vey close to Wet n Wild, Movie World,
Outback Spectacular, Dreamworld and Whitewater World.
Another option is Treasure Island Holiday Park at
Runaway Bay. |
If
you do stay out near the theme parks, remember you are not close to the
beaches so make sure you think this through before committing to inland
accommodation.
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